Oregon Secretary of State election, 2020 (May 19 Democratic primary)

Elections in Oregon, 2020

* Primary date: May 19
* Primary type: Closed
* Registration deadline(s): April 28
* Online registration: Yes
* Same-day registration: No

* Early voting starts: N/A (vote-by-mail)
* Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): N/A (vote-by-mail)
* Voter ID: No ID
* Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.[1]

* * *

Date of Oregon presidential primary: May 19

* * *

On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • Appellate courts • Local judges • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • Municipal • Recalls •

* Presidential election
* Presidential candidates
* Congress elections
* U.S. Congress
* U.S. Senate
* U.S. House
* Congressional special elections
* State elections
* Ballot measures
* State executives
* State legislatures
* State legislature special elections
* State supreme courts
* Intermediate appellate courts
* Local elections
* Ballot measures
* Municipal government
* Mayors
* School boards
* Trial courts
* Political recalls
* Voter information
* Sample ballot
* Election calendar
* Election results
* Poll opening and closing times
* Voting policies

<- 2016

Oregon Secretary of State

Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 10, 2020
Primary: May 19, 2020
General: November 3, 2020

* * *

Pre-election incumbent(s):
Bev Clarno (R)
How to vote
Poll times: No polling hours (vote-by-mail)
Voting in Oregon
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2020
Impact of term limits in 2020
State government trifectas and triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
Oregon
executive elections
Secretary of State

Treasurer
Attorney General

Shemia Fagan won the Democratic primary for Oregon Secretary of State on May 19, 2020, defeating two other candidates: Mark Hass and Jamie McLeod-Skinner. Fagan received 36.2 percent of the vote to Hass's 35.5 percent, a margin of 4,452 votes. McLeod-Skinner received 27.5 percent and 0.8 percent voted for write-in candidates.[2]

Fagan faced state Sen. Kim Thatcher (R) in the general election on November 3, 2020. Incumbent Bev Clarno (R), who was appointed to the office following the death of Dennis Richardson (R) in February 2019, did not seek a full term in 2020.

Oregon's exclusive use of vote-by-mail means no changes to the primary were required in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the three candidates "largely share a vision of how the secretary of state should operate ... They all vow to make it easier to register to vote and to ease rules on when voters must mail their ballots. Each has ideas for prioritizing election security and pushing back against disinformation. They bring similar views about the importance of state audits."[3] Fagan, a state senator, said she had "spent her career fighting for working Oregonians, holding big corporations accountable, and speaking truth to power."[4] Hass, also a member of the state Senate, said he had "experience in getting big things passed into law" and had "specialized in the very things required of the Secretary of State."[5] McLeod-Skinner said she was the "only candidate with a long-standing policy of grassroots support" and "the only candidate who has developed and implemented policy and systems for land, water, and natural resource management."[6]

Unlike many states, Oregon’s secretary of state is first in the line of succession to the governorship. There is no lieutenant governor of Oregon. Four governors, including incumbent Kate Brown (D), were originally secretaries of state who succeeded to the office after a governor left office early.

As of the election, Oregon had been a Democratic trifecta since 2013, with Democrats holding the governorship and majorities in the Oregon House of Representatives and Oregon State Senate. According to the Salem Statesman Journal, "state political analysts believe that [whoever] wins the Democratic primary will have the inside track to winning in November."[7]

Heading into the election, Oregon was one of 14 states with divided triplex control, with a Democratic governor, a Democratic attorney general, and a Republican secretary of state. Oregon was one of 12 states where the governor and secretary of state Oregon were not from the same party. Oregon also held elections for attorney general and treasurer in 2020. To view other 2020 Oregon elections, click here.

McLeod-Skinner participated in a Candidate Conversation with Ballotpedia and EnCiv. Click here to watch.

Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:

Fagan |
Hass |
McLeod-Skinner

For more information about the Republican primary, click here.
For more information about the general election, click here.

This election was a battleground race. Other 2020 battlegrounds included:

* District Attorney election in Travis County, Texas (2020)
* Georgia's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 11 Republican primary runoff)
* United States Senate election in Alabama, 2020 (July 14 Republican primary runoff)

|

## Contents

* 1 Election procedure changes in 2020
* 2 Candidates and election results
* 3 Candidate profiles
* 4 Candidate Conversations
* 5 Endorsements
* 6 Timeline
* 6.1 2020
* 6.1.1 May
* 6.1.2 April
* 6.1.3 March
* 7 Campaign ads
* 7.1 Shemia Fagan
* 7.2 Mark Hass
* 7.3 Jamie McLeod-Skinner
* 8 Polls
* 9 Campaign finance
* 10 Satellite spending
* 11 Interviews and questionnaires
* 12 Debates and forums
* 12.1 April 27, 2020
* 12.2 April 15, 2020
* 12.3 March 11, 2020
* 13 Primaries in Oregon
* 14 Pivot Counties
* 14.1 Presidential results by legislative district
* 15 Context of the 2020 elections
* 15.1 Party control in Oregon
* 16 Election history
* 16.1 2016
* 16.2 2012
* 16.3 2008
* 16.4 2004
* 16.5 2000
* 17 State profile
* 17.1 Partisan data
* 18 See also
* 19 External links
* 20 Footnotes

## Election procedure changes in 2020[edit]

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Oregon made no changes to its primary election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

## Candidates and election results[edit]

Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Oregon Secretary of State

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Shemia Fagan |

36.2

| 209,682

| Mark Hass |

35.5

| 205,230

| Jamie McLeod-Skinner |

27.5

| 159,430
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.8

| 4,395

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 578,737

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* Cameron Smith (D)
* Jennifer Williamson (D)
* Ryan Wruck (D)

## Candidate profiles[edit]

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[8] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Shemia Fagan

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

* Oregon State Senate (Assumed office: 2019)
* Oregon House of Representatives (2013-2017)

Biography: Fagan graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and religion in 2003. She received a law degree from Lewis &amp; Clark Law School in 2009. As of her 2020 campaign, Fagan’s professional experience included working as an attorney and as managing partner of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP.

* * *

Key Messages

* * *

Fagan said she would defend Oregon’s mail-in voting system and expand Oregon citizens’ access to voting with a determination informed by her childhood experiences.

* * *

In response to the coronavirus, Fagan said she would work to ensure people have timely access to unemployment assistance.

* * *

Fagan said she would work to ensure Oregon’s tax revenue is spent to support schools, healthcare, small businesses, and the environment.

* * *

Sources: YouTube, "Shemia Fagan for Oregon Secretary of State," March 18, 2020; YouTube, "Tradition," October 1, 2020; Shemia Fagan's 2020 campaign website, "Meet Shemia," accessed October 7, 2020; LinkedIn, "Shemia Fagan," accessed April 23, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Oregon Secretary of State in 2020

Mark Hass

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Oregon State Senate (Assumed office: 2007)

Oregon House of Representatives (2001-2007)

Submitted Biography: "Mark Hass first ran for office in 2001 to reverse a trend of underfunding in education resulting from property tax cuts in the 90s. In 2019, he led the efforts to pass the Student Success Act, one of the most significant education laws passed by the legislature, and one of Hass' longtime legislative goals. Educators and parents recognized it as the most significant education bill to come out of the legislature in modern history. It will help lengthen school years and shrink class sizes. Sen. Hass also authored the landmark Oregon Promise, which provides Oregon high school graduates with two years of free community college tuition. This has been a game-changer for many Oregon families, especially those who don't have a "culture" of higher education. In 2015, Hass sponsored and passed the law to establish and fund full-day kindergarten in our public schools. Now, Mark is running to serve as Oregon's Secretary of State. He'll champion critical reforms to protect our elections from outside interference, expand opportunities to vote and participate in elections, and make sure the peoples' voice is heard in the halls of government. "

* * *

Key Messages

The messages below are the candidate’s own.

* * *

Transparency & Public Access to Government

* * *

Proven leadership and earned trust are critical to delivering on promises

* * *

Safeguarding Children with a Child Protection Ombudsmen

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Oregon Secretary of State in 2020

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Santa Clara City Council (2004-2012)

Biography: McLeod-Skinner graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in civil engineering in 1992. She received a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Cornell University in 1995 and attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2006. In 2016, she graduated with a J.D. from the University of Oregon. As of her 2020 campaign, McLeod-Skinner was an attorney and natural resource consultant.

* * *

Key Messages

* * *

McLeod-Skinner stated, “I am running for Secretary of State to protect our democracy, build stronger communities, and safeguard our environment.” She said she was “the pro-democracy progressive that can win a statewide race.”

* * *

McLeod-Skinner said, "I'm the only candidate in the race for Oregon Secretary of State who has never taken corporate PAC money. I'll be accountable only to you -- the voters."

* * *

McLeod's campaign said, “Jamie is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and has been a leader in advancing the rights of vulnerable communities and communities of color for almost 30 years.”

* * *

Sources: Jamie McLeod-Skinner 2020 campaign website, "7 Things You Need to Know About Jamie McLeod-Skinner," accessed April 23, 2020, Facebook, "Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon on May 4, 2020, accessed May 18, 2020, Facebook, "Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon on April 14, 2020," accessed April 23, 2020; LinkedIn, "Jamie McLeod-Skinner," accessed April 23, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Oregon Secretary of State in 2020

## Candidate Conversations[edit]

Click below to watch the conversation for this race.
/div>

## Endorsements[edit]

This section lists endorsements issued in this election. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Click on the links below to explore each candidate's full list of endorsements on their campaign websites:

* Fagan
* Hass
* McLeod-Skinner

Democratic primary endorsements

Endorsement  |  Fagan |  Hass |  McLeod-Skinner
Newspapers and editorials
The Bulletin[9] | ✔ |  |
Eugene Weekly[10] | ✔ |  |
The Oregonian[11] |  | ✔ |
Portland Mercury[12] | ✔ |  |
Portland Tribune[13] |  | ✔ |
The Skanner[14] |  | ✔ |
The Source Weekly[15] |  |  | ✔
Willamette Week[16] |  | ✔ |
Elected officials
State Sen. Ginny Burdick (D)[17] |  | ✔ |
State Sen. Jeff Golden (D)[18] |  |  | ✔
State Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer (D)[18] |  |  | ✔
State Sen. James Manning (D)[17] |  | ✔ |
State Rep. Caddy McKeown (D)[17] |  | ✔ |
State Sen. Kathleen Taylor (D)[17] |  | ✔ |
Individuals
Former Gov. John Kitzhaber (D)[19] |  | ✔ |
Former Gov. Barbara Roberts (D)[20] | ✔ |  |
Former Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins (D)[21] |  |  | ✔
Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury (D)[17] |  | ✔ |
Former Secretary of State Phil Keisling (D)[22] |  | ✔ |
Former state Sen. Jane Cease (D)[23] |  |  | ✔
Former state Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D)[17] |  | ✔ |
Organizations
350 EUG PAC[24] |  |  |  ✔
AFT Oregon[25] | ✔ |  |
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon[24] |  |  |  ✔
Curry County Democrats[24] |  |  |  ✔
EMILY's List[26] | ✔ |  |
Joint Council of Teamsters No. 37[27] |  | ✔ |
Josephine County Democratic Party[24] |  |  |  ✔
LGBTQ Victory Fund[28] |  |  |  ✔
LPAC[24] |  |  |  ✔
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon PAC[25] | ✔ |  |
NASW Oregon Legislative Action[29] |  |  |  ✔
Oregon AFL-CIO[25] | ✔ |  |
Oregon AFSCME Council 75[30] | ✔ |  |
Oregon Education Association[25] | ✔ |  |
Oregon League of Conservation Voters[25] | ✔ |  |
Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council[25] | ✔ |  |
Oregon State Firefighter's Council[25] | ✔ |  |
Oregon Youth Climate Strike[24] |  |  |  ✔
OSEA AFT Local 6732[25] | ✔ |  |
Our Revolution Portland[24] |  |  |  ✔
Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters[25] | ✔ |  |
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste/Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United (PCUN)[25] | ✔ |  |
Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon[25] | ✔ |  |
RAICES[24] |  |  |  ✔
SEIU Local 49 and 503[31] | ✔ |  |
Sierra Club Oregon Chapter[32] |  |  |  ✔
SMACNA[25] | ✔ |  |
Sunrise Movement PDX, Eugene, & Corvallis[24][29] |  |  |  ✔
The Vocal Seniority[24] |  |  |  ✔
Central Oregon Youth Climate Strike[24][29] |  |  |  ✔
Washington County Ignite[31] | ✔ |  |

## Timeline[edit]

### 2020[edit]

* May 2020 (click to collapse)

#### May[edit]

* May 22, 2020: Fagan secured the Democratic nomination after Hass conceded.[33]
* May 3, 2020: The Oregonian endorsed Hass.[11]

* April 2020 (click to expand)

#### April[edit]

* April 27, 2020: The candidates participated in a virtual forum hosted by Willamette Week.[34]
* April 15, 2020: The candidates participated in a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County and the City Club of Central Oregon.[35]

* March 2020 (click to expand)

#### March[edit]

* March 11, 2020: The candidates participated in a forum hosted by the City Club of Portland.[36]

## Campaign ads[edit]

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

### Shemia Fagan[edit]

"Gov. Barbara Roberts Endorsement" - Fagan campaign ad, released May 15, 2020

"How She Got There" - Fagan campaign ad, released May 14, 2020

"Oregon's Progressive Leader" - Fagan campaign ad, released April 22, 2020

### Mark Hass[edit]

"Gov. Kitzhaber: 'A proven record of accomplishments'" - Hass campaign ad, released May 14, 2020

"Nowhere in Oregon is too Far" - Hass campaign ad, released May 14, 2020

"Momentum" - Hass campaign ad, released May 11, 2020

"Un-American" - Hass campaign ad, released April 20, 2020

"Recession" - Hass campaign ad, released April 16, 2020

### Jamie McLeod-Skinner[edit]

"I Believe in This Work" - McLeod-Skinner campaign ad, released May 5, 2020

"Check" - McLeod-Skinner campaign ad, released May 1, 2020

"Funded" - McLeod-Skinner campaign ad, relased May 1, 2020

## Polls[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us.

## Campaign finance[edit]

The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Oregon Secretary of State covering contributions and expenditures made in 2020. The state updates campaign finance numbers on a rolling basis. To view the most up-to-date figures, click here.

## Satellite spending[edit]

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[37][38][39]

This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.

## Interviews and questionnaires[edit]

Click the links below to view candidates' responses to questionnaires.

* League of Minority Voters questionnaire
* Oregon Public Broadcasting questionnaire

## Debates and forums[edit]

### April 27, 2020[edit]

The candidates participated in a virtual forum hosted by Willamette Week.[40]

"Willamette Week Endorsement Interview - Secretary of State" - Willamette Week

### April 15, 2020[edit]

The candidates participated in a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County and the City Club of Central Oregon.

"Secretary of State, Democrat Candidates Forum" - City Club of Central Oregon

### March 11, 2020[edit]

The candidates participated in a forum hosted by the City Club of Portland.

"3-11-2020 Secretary of State Debate" -

City Club of Portland

## Primaries in Oregon[edit]

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Oregon generally utilizes a closed primary process. The selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members for presidential and legislative elections. However, the Oregon Republican Party voted to open the Republican primary to unaffiliated voters for the offices of secretary of state, attorney general, and treasurer.[41][42][43][44]

## Pivot Counties[edit]

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Two of 36 Oregon counties—5.6 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008

County  |  Trump margin of victory in 2016  |  Obama margin of victory in 2012  |  Obama margin of victory in 2008
Columbia County, Oregon | 11.46% | 5.16% | 12.02%
Tillamook County, Oregon | 5.58% | 4.86% | 9.89%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Oregon with 50.1 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 39.1 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Oregon cast votes for the winning presidential candidate 73.3 percent of the time. In that same time frame, Oregon supported Republican candidates for president more often than Democratic candidates, 56.7 to 43.3 percent. The state, however, favored Democrats in every election between between 2000 and 2016.

#### Presidential results by legislative district[edit]

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Oregon. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[45][46]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 39 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 26.9 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 36 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 31.6 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.

In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 21 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 20.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 24 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 24 points. Trump won three districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

2016 presidential results by state House district

District |  Obama |  Romney |  2012 Margin |  Clinton |  Trump |  2016 Margin |  Party Control
1  |  37.15%  |  59.91%  | R+22.8  |  30.45%  |  63.42%  | R+33  | R
2  |  35.86%  |  61.05%  | R+25.2  |  27.65%  |  65.58%  | R+37.9  | R
3  |  38.59%  |  58.64%  | R+20.1  |  32.16%  |  60.97%  | R+28.8  | R
4  |  34.06%  |  63.51%  | R+29.4  |  27.52%  |  66.33%  | R+38.8  | R
5  |  60.76%  |  35.69%  | D+25.1  |  58.86%  |  33.66%  | D+25.2  | D
6  |  43.64%  |  53.69%  | R+10  |  40.10%  |  52.36%  | R+12.3  | R
7  |  40.94%  |  55.86%  | R+14.9  |  32.79%  |  59.77%  | R+27  | R
8  |  68.36%  |  28.03%  | D+40.3  |  65.84%  |  26.50%  | D+39.3  | D
9  |  49.44%  |  47.54%  | D+1.9  |  40.23%  |  52.56%  | R+12.3  | D
10  |  55.67%  |  41.16%  | D+14.5  |  47.25%  |  45.02%  | D+2.2  | D
11  |  55.39%  |  41.57%  | D+13.8  |  50.86%  |  41.87%  | D+9  | D
12  |  56.62%  |  40.21%  | D+16.4  |  49.34%  |  41.70%  | D+7.6  | D
13  |  63.69%  |  32.89%  | D+30.8  |  62.35%  |  29.39%  | D+33  | D
14  |  57.20%  |  40.05%  | D+17.1  |  51.09%  |  40.77%  | D+10.3  | D
15  |  44.80%  |  52.00%  | R+7.2  |  39.46%  |  51.33%  | R+11.9  | R
16  |  68.67%  |  27.22%  | D+41.4  |  69.48%  |  20.98%  | D+48.5  | D
17  |  36.23%  |  60.65%  | R+24.4  |  27.71%  |  64.47%  | R+36.8  | R
18  |  38.39%  |  59.05%  | R+20.7  |  33.45%  |  58.97%  | R+25.5  | R
19  |  44.87%  |  52.96%  | R+8.1  |  42.46%  |  50.19%  | R+7.7  | R
20  |  50.99%  |  46.50%  | D+4.5  |  49.71%  |  42.02%  | D+7.7  | D
21  |  57.81%  |  39.39%  | D+18.4  |  53.19%  |  38.56%  | D+14.6  | D
22  |  54.27%  |  42.99%  | D+11.3  |  52.07%  |  40.38%  | D+11.7  | D
23  |  43.15%  |  54.01%  | R+10.9  |  36.74%  |  55.52%  | R+18.8  | R
24  |  47.77%  |  49.67%  | R+1.9  |  44.83%  |  46.73%  | R+1.9  | R
25  |  43.43%  |  54.28%  | R+10.8  |  40.87%  |  50.61%  | R+9.7  | R
26  |  49.24%  |  48.65%  | D+0.6  |  51.80%  |  40.43%  | D+11.4  | R
27  |  62.96%  |  34.72%  | D+28.2  |  66.84%  |  25.48%  | D+41.4  | D
28  |  59.90%  |  37.33%  | D+22.6  |  59.87%  |  31.58%  | D+28.3  | D
29  |  54.53%  |  42.09%  | D+12.4  |  52.00%  |  38.65%  | D+13.4  | D
30  |  56.91%  |  40.02%  | D+16.9  |  57.59%  |  33.00%  | D+24.6  | D
31  |  52.12%  |  44.60%  | D+7.5  |  44.06%  |  47.64%  | R+3.6  | D
32  |  52.75%  |  44.09%  | D+8.7  |  45.64%  |  46.09%  | R+0.5  | D
33  |  65.90%  |  31.83%  | D+34.1  |  72.64%  |  20.98%  | D+51.7  | D
34  |  63.85%  |  33.25%  | D+30.6  |  67.22%  |  24.53%  | D+42.7  | D
35  |  60.70%  |  36.93%  | D+23.8  |  63.83%  |  28.39%  | D+35.4  | D
36  |  79.34%  |  17.38%  | D+62  |  82.77%  |  11.05%  | D+71.7  | D
37  |  52.79%  |  45.42%  | D+7.4  |  57.22%  |  35.31%  | D+21.9  | R
38  |  65.77%  |  32.10%  | D+33.7  |  71.88%  |  22.01%  | D+49.9  | D
39  |  42.78%  |  55.07%  | R+12.3  |  38.83%  |  54.39%  | R+15.6  | R
40  |  53.15%  |  44.33%  | D+8.8  |  49.14%  |  42.74%  | D+6.4  | D
41  |  70.80%  |  26.25%  | D+44.5  |  70.28%  |  22.34%  | D+47.9  | D
42  |  87.06%  |  7.84%  | D+79.2  |  87.10%  |  6.08%  | D+81  | D
43  |  89.37%  |  6.92%  | D+82.5  |  89.00%  |  5.40%  | D+83.6  | D
44  |  82.65%  |  13.55%  | D+69.1  |  81.66%  |  11.41%  | D+70.2  | D
45  |  79.69%  |  17.31%  | D+62.4  |  80.42%  |  13.55%  | D+66.9  | D
46  |  79.45%  |  16.72%  | D+62.7  |  80.06%  |  13.10%  | D+67  | D
47  |  66.01%  |  31.23%  | D+34.8  |  63.57%  |  29.15%  | D+34.4  | D
48  |  61.00%  |  36.01%  | D+25  |  59.27%  |  32.83%  | D+26.4  | D
49  |  57.08%  |  40.26%  | D+16.8  |  51.57%  |  40.49%  | D+11.1  | D
50  |  54.82%  |  42.75%  | D+12.1  |  51.27%  |  41.12%  | D+10.2  | D
51  |  53.04%  |  44.74%  | D+8.3  |  50.91%  |  41.90%  | D+9  | D
52  |  51.53%  |  45.97%  | D+5.6  |  46.57%  |  45.78%  | D+0.8  | R
53  |  40.98%  |  56.77%  | R+15.8  |  39.36%  |  53.26%  | R+13.9  | R
54  |  54.38%  |  42.95%  | D+11.4  |  55.64%  |  35.94%  | D+19.7  | R
55  |  32.25%  |  65.13%  | R+32.9  |  24.43%  |  69.92%  | R+45.5  | R
56  |  28.24%  |  69.10%  | R+40.9  |  23.76%  |  69.30%  | R+45.5  | R
57  |  32.89%  |  64.08%  | R+31.2  |  27.24%  |  65.33%  | R+38.1  | R
58  |  33.98%  |  63.22%  | R+29.2  |  27.37%  |  65.78%  | R+38.4  | R
59  |  42.10%  |  55.62%  | R+13.5  |  36.82%  |  56.07%  | R+19.3  | R
60  |  26.45%  |  70.57%  | R+44.1  |  20.38%  |  73.39%  | R+53  | R
Total |  54.64%  |  42.46%  | D+12.2  |  51.96%  |  40.57%  | D+11.4  |  \-
Source: Daily Kos

## Context of the 2020 elections[edit]

### Party control in Oregon[edit]

Oregon Party Control: 1992-2021
Thirteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  |  92  |  93  |  94  |  95  |  96  |  97  |  98  |  99  |  00  |  01  |  02  |  03  |  04  |  05  |  06  |  07  |  08  |  09  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15  |  16  |  17  |  18  |  19  |  20  |  21

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Governor |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D
Senate |  D |  D |  D |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  S |  S |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D
House |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  D |  D |  D |  D |  S |  S |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D

## Election history[edit]

### 2016[edit]

See also: Oregon Secretary of State election, 2016

The general election for secretary of state was held on November 8, 2016.

The following candidates ran in the Oregon secretary of state election.[47] Oregon Secretary of State, 2016

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  |  Dennis Richardson | 47.44% | 892,669
| Democratic/Progressive/Working Families  | Brad Avakian | 43.27% | 814,089
| Independent Party of Oregon  | Paul Damian Wells | 3.45% | 64,956
| Pacific Green Party of Oregon  | Alan Zundel | 2.53% | 47,576
| Libertarian  | Sharon Durbin | 2.50% | 46,975
| Constitution Party  | Michael P. Marsh | 0.81% | 15,269
Total Votes | 1,881,534
Source: Oregon Secretary of State

Click [show] at the right to view more past election results.

|

### 2012

See also: Oregon secretary of state election, 2012

Incumbent Kate Brown (D) defeated Knute Buehler (R) and three third party challengers in the general election on November 6, 2012.

* 2012 General Election for Oregon Secretary of State

| Oregon Secretary of State General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Kate Brown Incumbent | 51.4% | 863,656
| Republican  |  Knute Buehler  | 43.3% | 727,607
| Green  |  Seth Woolley  | 2.6% | 44,235
| Libertarian  |  Bruce Alexander Knight  | 1.4% | 24,273
| Progressive  |  Robert Wolfe  | 1.3% | 21,783
Total Votes | 1,681,554
Election results via Oregon Secretary of State

### 2008

On November 4, 2008, Kate Brown won election to the office of Oregon Secretary of State. She defeated Rick Dancer (R) and Seth Alan Woolley (PG) in the general election.

Oregon Secretary of State, 2008

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Kate Brown | 51% | 873,968
| Republican  |  Rick Dancer  | 45.8% | 785,740
| Pacific Green  |  Seth Alan Woolley  | 3% | 51,271
| Misc. |  Various | 0.2% | 2,740
Total Votes | 1,713,719
Election results via Oregon Secretary of State.

### 2004

On November 2, 2004, Bill Bradbury won re-election to the office of Oregon Secretary of State. He defeated Betsy L. Close (R) and Richard Morley (L) in the general election.

Oregon Secretary of State, 2004

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Bill Bradbury Incumbent | 57.2% | 1,002,052
| Republican  |  Betsy L. Close  | 39.4% | 690,228
| Libertarian  |  Richard Morley  | 3.2% | 56,678
| Misc. |  Various | 0.2% | 3,871
Total Votes | 1,752,829
Election results via Oregon Secretary of State.

### 2000

On November 7, 2000, Bill Bradbury won re-election to the office of Oregon Secretary of State. He defeated Lynn Snodgrass (R), Lloyd Marbet (PAC) and E.J. (Ed) Pole, II (L) in the general election.

Oregon Secretary of State, 2000

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Bill Bradbury Incumbent | 49.4% | 725,265
| Republican  |  Lynn Snodgrass  | 44.5% | 652,803
| PAC  |  Lloyd Marbet  | 4.4% | 64,555
| Libertarian  |  E.J. (Ed) Pole, II  | 1.7% | 24,286
| Misc. |  Various | 0.1% | 926
Total Votes | 1,467,835
Election results via Oregon Secretary of State.

## State profile[edit]

See also: Oregon and Oregon elections, 2020

### Partisan data[edit]

The information in this section was current as of April 23, 2020.

Presidential voting pattern

* Oregon voted for the Democratic candidate in all five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016.

Congressional delegation

* Following the 2018 elections, both U.S. Senators from Oregon were Democrats.
* Oregon had four Democratic and one Republican U.S. Representatives.

State executives

* Democrats held three and a Republican held one of Oregon's 13 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
* Oregon's governor was Democrat Kate Brown.

State legislature

* Democrats controlled the Oregon State Senate with a 18-12 majority.
* Democrats controlled the Oregon House of Representatives with a 38-22 majority.

Oregon Party Control: 1992-2021
Thirteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  |  92  |  93  |  94  |  95  |  96  |  97  |  98  |  99  |  00  |  01  |  02  |  03  |  04  |  05  |  06  |  07  |  08  |  09  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15  |  16  |  17  |  18  |  19  |  20  |  21

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Governor |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D
Senate |  D |  D |  D |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  S |  S |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D
House |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  R |  D |  D |  D |  D |  S |  S |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D

Oregon quick stats

* Became a state in 1859
* 33rd state admitted to the United States
* Oregon is home to the single largest organism in the world.
* Members of the Oregon State Senate: 30
* Members of the Oregon House of Representatives: 60
* U.S. senators: 2
* U.S. representatives: 5

|  More Oregon coverage on Ballotpedia:

* Oregon elections, 2020
* Presidential voting trends in Oregon
* United States congressional delegations from Oregon
* Public policy in Oregon
* Influencers in Oregon
* Almanac of American Politics state profile
* More...

|

Demographic data for Oregon

| Oregon| U.S.
Total population:| 4,024,634| 316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):| 95,988| 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:| 85.1%| 73.6%
Black/African American:| 1.8%| 12.6%
Asian:| 4%| 5.1%
Native American:| 1.2%| 0.8%
Pacific Islander:| 0.4%| 0.2%
Two or more:| 4.1%| 3%
Hispanic/Latino:| 12.3%| 17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:| 89.8%| 86.7%
College graduation rate:| 30.8%| 29.8%
Income
Median household income:| $51,243| $53,889
Persons below poverty level:| 18.4%| 11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Oregon.

* * *

**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

## See also[edit]

Oregon | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis

|
|

Oregon State Executive Offices Oregon State Legislature Oregon Courts |  2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Oregon elections: 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 |  Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

## External links[edit]

|  Suggest a link

|

* Search Google News for this topic
* Oregon Secretary of State official website

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Oregon is a vote-by-mail state. Polling hours apply to vote centers where individuals can instead vote in person.
2. ↑ [https://results.oregonvotes.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=SWPAR&map=CTY Oregon Secretary of State website, "PRIMARY ELECTION MAY 19, 2020," accessed May 28, 2020]
3. ↑ OPB, "Oregon Democratic Secretary Of State Race Could Be 2020's Most Competitive Primary," April 21, 2020
4. ↑ Shemia Fagan 2020 campaign website, "Meet Shemia," accessed April 23, 2020
5. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 28, 2020.
6. ↑ Jamie McLeod-Skinner 2020 campaign website, "7 Things You Need to Know About Jamie McLeod-Skinner," accessed April 23, 2020
7. ↑ Salem Statesman Journal, "Race for Oregon secretary of state packed with legislative experience," March 14, 2020
8. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
9. ↑ The Bulletin, "Editorial: Vote Shemia Fagan in the Democratic primary for secretary of state," April 4, 2020
10. ↑ Eugene Weekly, "Stay Home and Vote!" April 23, 2020
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Oregonian, "Editorial endorsement: In secretary of state primary, Mark Hass and Kim Thatcher are parties’ best picks," May 3, 2020
12. ↑ Portland Mercury, "Mercury 2020 Primary Endorsements: Oregon Legislature and Secretary of State," April 28, 2020
13. ↑ Portland Tribune, "Sen. Mark Hass earns 'yes' vote for Secretary of State," April 29, 2020
14. ↑ The Skanner, "The Skanner News May Primary 2020 Endorsements," May 1, 2020
15. ↑ The Source Weekly, "Endorsement: Vote Jamie McLeod-Skinner For Secretary Of State In The Democratic Primary," April 21, 2020
16. ↑ Willamette Week, "WW’s May 2020 Endorsement for Oregon Secretary of State," April 29, 2020
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Mark Hass 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed April 8, 2020
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Jamie McLeod-Skinner 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed April 8, 2020
19. ↑ Facebook, "Mark Hass on May 13, 2020," accessed May 18, 2020
20. ↑ OPB, "State Sen. Shemia Fagan Enters Oregon Secretary Of State Race," February 27, 2020
21. ↑ Jamie McLeod-Skinner 2020 campaign website, "Jeanne Atkins Endorses Jamie McLeod-Skinner," February 5, 2020
22. ↑ Twitter, "Mark Hass on April 13, 2020," accessed April 23, 2020
23. ↑ Jamie McLeod-Skinner 2020 campaign website, "Community Leaders and Elected Officials Endorsing Jamie McLeod-Skinner," accessed April 23, 2020
24. ↑ 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 24.10 Jamie McLeod-Skinner 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed April 23, 2020
25. ↑ 25.00 25.01 25.02 25.03 25.04 25.05 25.06 25.07 25.08 25.09 25.10 25.11 Shemia Fagan 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed April 23, 2020
26. ↑ Facebook, "Shemia Fagan for Oregon on May 13, 2020," accessed May 18, 2020
27. ↑ Willamette Week, "State Sen. Mark Hass Wins the Endorsement of Oregon Teamsters Union in Secretary of State Race," March 4, 2020
28. ↑ Victory Fund, "Victory Fund Endorses 32 New LGBTQ Candidates for 2020; Historic Opportunities in State Legislatures," January 22, 2020
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Facebook, "Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon on May 9, 2020," accessed May 18, 2020
30. ↑ Willamette Week, "Just Days After Entering Secretary of State’s Race, State Sen. Shemia Fagan Scores a Key Endorsement," March 1, 2020
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Facebook, "Shemia Fagan for Oregon on May 14, 2020," accessed May 18, 2020
32. ↑ Twitter, "Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon on April 26, 2020," accessed April 28, 2020
33. ↑ The Willamette Week, "Sen. Mark Hass Officially Concedes Democratic Secretary of State Primary to Sen. Shemia Fagan," May 22, 2020
34. ↑ Willamette Week, "Some of the State’s Most Ambitious Politicians Tussled in Our Democratic Primary Interview for Oregon Secretary of State," April 27, 2020
35. ↑ YouTube, "Secretary of State, Democrat Candidates Forum," April 15, 2020
36. ↑ YouTube, "3-11-2020 Secretary of State Debate. Ask Q's in comments," March 11, 2020
37. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
38. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
39. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
40. ↑ Willamette Week, "Some of the State’s Most Ambitious Politicians Tussled in Our Democratic Primary Interview for Oregon Secretary of State," April 27, 2020
41. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures,"State Primary Election Types," accessed October 25, 2019
42. ↑ FairVote,"Primaries," accessed October 25, 2019
43. ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
44. ↑ Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno,"Voting in Oregon," accessed October 25, 2019
45. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
46. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
47. ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes," accessed May 25, 2017

v • e

2020 state executive official elections

Governor|

Delaware • Indiana • Missouri • Montana • New Hampshire • North Carolina • North Dakota • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Lieutenant Governor|

Delaware • Indiana • Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • North Dakota • Utah • Vermont • Washington

Attorney General|

Indiana • Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Secretary of State|

Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • Oregon • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Treasurer|

Missouri • North Carolina • North Dakota • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Auditor|

Montana • North Carolina • North Dakota • Pennsylvania • Utah • Vermont • Washington • West Virginia

Education officials|

Alabama •  Colorado (board of education) • Colorado (board of regents) • Kansas • Michigan (board of education) • Michigan (board of regents) • Michigan (board of trustees) • Michigan (board of governors) • Montana • Nebraska (board of regents) • Nebraska (board of education) • Nevada (board of regents) • Nevada (board of education) • New Mexico • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Texas • Utah • Washington

Commissioners|

Alabama • Arizona • Delaware • Georgia • Louisiana • Montana • Nebraska • New Mexico • North Carolina (agriculture) • North Carolina (labor) • North Carolina (insurance) • North Dakota (insurance) • North Dakota (public service) • Oklahoma • South Dakota • Texas • Washington (natural resources) • Washington (insurance) • West Virginia

Other|

Hawaii (Hawaiian affairs board) • Massachusetts (governor's council) • New Hampshire (executive council)

v • e

State executive offices

Offices|

Governor • Lt. Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Schools • Insurance Commissioner • Controller • Agriculture Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commissioner

States|

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

Elections|

2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010

Features|

Chart of state executive officers • Compensation • Gubernatorial power comparison • How gubernatorial vacancies are filled • Irregular office changes • State executive officials serving in home states • State government trifectas • State of the state addresses • Term limits

v • e

Ballotpedia

About|

Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities

* * *

Executive: Leslie Graves, President • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy

Communications: Kayla Harris • Megan Brown • Mary Dunne • Sarah Groat • Lauren Nemerovski
External Relations: Alison Prange • Sara Key • Kari Berger • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski • Lauren Dixon • Kelly Rindfleisch • Sara Horton • Elizabeth Brown
Policy: Christopher Nelson • Caitlin Styrsky • Molly Byrne • Katharine Frey • Jace Lington • Jimmy McAllister
Tech: Matt Latourelle, Tech Manager • Ryan Burch • Michael Cella • Kirsten Corrao • Margaret Kearney • Tom Reitz

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

* * *

Editorial|

Geoff Pallay, Editor-in-Chief • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Josh Altic, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Jerrick Adams • Victoria Antram • Dave Beaudoin • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Ryan Byrne • Kate Carsella • Kelly Coyle • Megan Feeney • Tyler King • Doug Kronaizl • Amee LaTour • David Luchs • Brittony Maag • Andrew McNair • Jackie Mitchell • Elisabeth Moore • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Paul Rader • Ethan Rice • Abbey Smith • Janie Valentine • Caitlin Vanden Boom • Joel Williams • Corinne Wolyniec • Samuel Wonacott • Mercedes Yanora

v • e

State of Oregon
Salem (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2021 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy